4 Hints to Prep for Air Conditioning Season
Summer might seem like it’s a long time off away. But before you realize, you’ll be moving from heating to cooling. Soon enough your air conditioner is running regularly to maintain cool temperatures. It’s smart to be ready for the extra usage before temperatures heat up.
Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing and our team of Experts can assist you. We’ve created our all-inclusive air conditioning memberships to boost your system’s energy efficiency and trustworthiness. Our professional skill goes a long way, but there are a lot of other steps you can take to protect your air conditioner. Here are four of the best ways you can prep for air conditioning season.
1. Clean Your Air Conditioner
Don’t fret, you won’t have to disassemble your system and clean every component. Our Experts handle this during your yearly air conditioning maintenance appointment.
But cleaning the space around your air conditioner will go a long way as well. We suggest:
- Getting rid of twigs, leaves and grass clippings from the outside of your air conditioner.
- Keeping surrounding grass and plants cut back.
- Maintaining at minimum 1 foot of open room on all sides around your air conditioner.
If your air conditioner’s fins get blocked by dirt or yard refuse, this can affect performance and comfort. Your air conditioner will have to run more often to deliver the same level of comfort. In extreme cases, it may stop running altogether and need air conditioning repair.
Your comfort and satisfaction matter to us, so we like to minimize the likelihood of repairs in the first place. A well-maintained air conditioner usually operates more efficiently, is less likely to malfunction and typically lasts longer.
2. Replace Your Air Filter
Routinely replacing your air filter is critical for your air conditioner’s well-being. During a maintenance visit, our techs check filters and put in new ones if needed. Putting in a new filter is quick and easy. You can (and should) do it on your own whenever!
How frequently you need to get a new filter depends on:
- The kind of filter you use.
- If someone in your house has asthma, allergies or other respiratory problems.
- If you have pets.
Basic flat filters usually last for 30–60 days. More dense pleated filters can last up to 90 days. If you don’t know if your filter should be replaced, take it out, and angle it toward the light. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it.
Filters trap dust, pollen and other pollutants from your house’s air, keeping airflow healthy. Disregarding it will impact your house’s indoor air quality and your air conditioner’s efficiency.
In some situations a dirty filter could even damage your system or cause it to malfunction. Frequently replacing it will keep the inside of your air conditioner cleaner and airflow more balanced.
If someone in your household has allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems, check with our Experts about how a HEPA filter can relieve symptoms.
3. Inspect Your Thermostat and Smoke Detectors
Now is a great time to check other important components of your air conditioner and other safety systems.
If you use a programmable thermostat, check that it’s running like it should. If the batteries are running low, replace them.
For added control and convenience, think about getting a smart thermostat. They make using less energy simpler. And select models can even tell you if there’s an issue with your air conditioner or if your air filter needs replacing.
Although they’re not part of your air conditioning system, now is a good time to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Confirming they’re still good gives peace of mind and an added layer of safety.
4. Keep Heat Outdoors
One of the smartest ways to boost energy-efficient cooling is to reduce the concentration of outside heat coming into your house. Using good window treatments such as blackout curtains, honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, can stop the sun from impacting interior temperatures.
Here are several other methods to keep your house cold without adjusting the thermostat:
- Run ceiling fans when you’re in the room.
- Turn on your bathroom fan to eliminate heat and humidity when you shower.
- Keep air vents clean to ensure ample airflow.
- Install caulk and weatherstripping to seal your doors and windows.
Rely on Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Skilled Air Conditioning Maintenance
Our list will help your air conditioner operate better this summer. But the smartest way you can increase efficiency is with air conditioning maintenance. Some perks of this service involve:
- Stress-free cooling.
- Possibly cheaper cooling costs.
- Likely lengthening your air conditioner’s lifetime.
- Keeping your valuable manufacturer’s warranty ongoing.
Make sure your air conditioning is ready for this summer! Contact the heating and cooling Experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing now! Reach us at 866-397-3787 to book your maintenance appointment or to learn more about our HVAC membership plans.